ARISC Graduate Fellowships

ARISC Graduate Fellowships

The American Research Institute of the Southern Caucasus (ARISC) announces the availability of US graduate fellowships in support of research in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, and/or Azerbaijan).  We anticipate making four to six awards of a maximum of $1500 each.  Projects in all fields in the social sciences and humanities are eligible. Proposals will be judged on their quality and on the potential of the research to strengthen scholarship on the Southern Caucasus. The purpose of the fellowship is to help cover travel to and/or living expenses in the Southern Caucasus. During his/her stay in the Southern Caucasus, the fellow is expected to give an ARISC sponsored presentation on a subject related to his/her research. The fellow will acknowledge ARISC in any publication that emerges from the research carried during the fellowship.

Application requirements: Please send a complete application including the application form, a project statement of not more than 3 pages, work schedule, budget, curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation by November 20, 2009 to info “at” arisc.org.  All information must be received by November 20, 2009 in order for the applicant to be considered for the fellowship.


Fellowships Terms and Conditions 

  1. Fellowships are limited to the support of study and research in the humanities and social sciences.
  2. Fellowships may be awarded to graduate students who are enrolled in a degree-granting program in the US.
  3. Fellowships will be awarded to U.S. citizens only. Proof of citizenship (i.e. photocopy of passport, etc.) must be shown upon award notification.
  4. Applicants must propose and conduct field research in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, and/or Azerbaijan).
  5. Fellows must complete their fellowships by August 31, 2010. Any unused portion of the stipend must be returned to ARISC by this date.
  6. This program provides stipends of up to $1,500 per fellow. For fellows interested in research in Azerbaijan air travel procured with funds from this grant must adhere to the “Fly America” policy if feasible. Please see http://www.ogc.doc.gov/ogc/fl/fald/itl/itlv14.pdf
  7. Given changing travel restrictions and/or travel warnings to many countries, fellows should contact ARISC prior to purchasing airfare.
  8. A report is required to be submitted to ARISC within 30 days of fellowship completion and no later than August 31, 2010.
  9. While ARISC encourages scholars to apply to other federal and private sources in addition to the ARISC graduate fellowships, ARISC fellows who plan to work in Azerbaijan may not simultaneously hold other major federally funded fellowships. ARISC fellows who receive additional awards must contact ARISC immediately to discuss possible date and stipend adjustments.
  10. ARISC is unable to provide health or other insurance to its fellows. Fellows are required to supply ARISC with proof of health insurance as well as emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance before leaving the United States.
  11. Fellowship recipients are eligible to reapply for a second graduate fellowship three years after their most recent award.
  12. ARISC does not advise fellows on tax questions concerning their stipend.


Selection Process

Fellows will be selected by the ARISC grants panel made up of scholars accustomed to conducting regional and trans-regional research. Please note that readers may not be specialists in your field. Applicants will be judged according to the following criteria:

  • Merits of the proposal for significance, relevance, and potential contribution to regional and/or trans-regional scholarly research
  • Applicant qualifications
  • Research design and methodology
  • Significance to the applicant's field
  • Significance to needs and interests of host country and ARISC
  • Feasibility in terms of resources and amount of time allocated to the project
  • Need for residence in host country to accomplish the project
  • Proficiency in language required to complete research project, if applicable


Notification

Notification of fellowship status will be made available to each applicant via email by December 31, 2009.